A splash of color greets you. This is Embarcadero Zacapa, one of Xochimilco’s vibrant boat launches. It is a gateway to a unique experience.
Embarcadero Zacapa offers a glimpse into old-school Xochimilco. This launch has been operating since 1958. Like other embarcaderos here you will find craft markets. Plant and flower vendors also add to the atmosphere.
The view here sets Embarcadero Zacapa apart. The dramatic Manantiales restaurant looms in the background. It is an abandoned masterpiece designed by Felix Candela. This surreal building opened the same year as the boat launch. Some say it has lent a surreal air to Xochimilco.
Gondoliers at Embarcadero Zacapa are ready to guide you. They work from their home bases. The market is well-regulated so haggling isn’t common. Rates are fixed by the hour. English is widely spoken here unlike much of Mexico City.
A one-hour tour offers music food and greenhouse visits for an extra cost. Two to four hours can take you to the serpent reserve. You can also see the ajolotario and greenhouses along the way for an extra cost. Six hours will get you to the ecological reserve. You’ll also see the famous Apatlaco Canal and the original Island of the Dolls.
Speak to the gondoliers here at Embarcadero Zacapa. Often they will approach you first. They will help you choose the perfect Xochimilco adventure.
Imagine gliding through the canals on a trajinera. The colorful boats pass by. Music fills the air. Vendors offer snacks and drinks.
The chinampas or floating gardens line the waterways. These are man-made islands. The Xochimilcas and Aztecs created them. They used these islands for agriculture.
The trajineras themselves have a history. In the early 1900s they were used to impress wealthy people. The boats became more elaborate. Bright colors and names were added.
Embarcadero Zacapa provides access to ecological tours. These tours go further into the canals. You can see more wildlife. You can experience the chinampas more closely.
The Island of the Dolls is a popular stop. Legend says a girl drowned in the waterways. A man named Julián Santana Barrera found her body. He hung dolls to appease her spirit. The island is now covered in creepy dolls.
A trip to Embarcadero Zacapa is more than just a boat ride. It’s an immersion into Mexican culture. It is a celebration of history and nature. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Embrace the unabashed joy of Xochimilco.